November is such a fun month!  So many goofy things going on to trigger kids'  thoughts and get them excited to write!  From pizza to football, turkeys to forget-me-nots, there's a little bit of everything! Here are just a few:

• November 10^th is Forget-Me-Not Day!   Does anyone out there know who thinks up these things? Does someone form a committee? Do they have to vote on them before they become a National Something or Another and then get added to our calendar? Anyway they make for some smilie-moments as I’m surfing the net trying to find out what’s going on in the month of November to jump start some writing prompts and get those creative juices flowing for your students. Hope you find these creative and thought provoking!

 Play it again Sam:

• National Saxophone Day shares election day status on Nov. 6^th. If you could play any instrument and be a concert virtuoso at it, what would you play and why?
• What’s your favorite kind of music to listen to? Why? On the other hand, what kind of music drives you up the wall? Why do you hate it?
• It’s Election Day! People were jailed and some even lost their lives trying to get the right to vote. Today, many young people are apathetic about the entire process and many have never voted. Why do you think this is? Will you vote when it comes time? Why do you think it’s important?
• You’re running for office. What office are you running for? How do you get those apathetic friends of yours out there to vote?

Forget-Me-Not!

• There’s a part of your brain called the amygdala. It tends to remember things that are unforgettable. For example if you are a baby boomer like me, you remember exactly where you were the day president Kennedy was shot, or more recently, what you were doing when 911 happened. Tell me about something that happened in your life that will remain unforgettable as long as you live.

Going Nuts!

• It’s Peanut Butter Lover’s month. Are you a lover of peanut butter? Why or why not?
• Some things just drive people NUTS! What are some of the things that drive you nuts and why do they? What do you think you can do to calm yourself down?

Football Frenzy!

• It’s that time of year again when the fans hit the stands and the men hit the field. Here’s the scenario, and they actually made a movie out of this story: A girl is a super football player. She wants on the team. Should she be able to try out? Why or why not?

I’m thankful for our Veterans! Happy Veteran’s Day!

• My dad was a Vet. He was in the 2^nd World War and drove a tank for the army. He often talked about his time in Italy & Germany. I’m very proud of him for that. I couldn’t be in the military. I love my country, but I couldn’t shoot another person. How about you? Here’s the scenario: Obama declares war. Will you enlist? Could you shoot another person? Tell me how you feel?

I’ll take it with everything on it!

• National Pizza Day is the 12^th. What’s your favorite kind of pizza? Now here’s your challenge. There’s a $1,000 prize to come up with a new pizza. What does yours have on it? What shape is it? Anything else cool or unusual about it? What’s it called? What will you do with the money if you should win?

Paging Miss Care Giver; you’re wanted in the OR Stat!

• Operating Room Nurses Day is the 14^th.  Would you want to be one? Why or why not? Or…has a nurse every really helped you? What happened? Details please.

If you can read this, thank a teacher!

• It’s National Book Month. You’re a famous author. What kind of books do you write? Why? What’s the title of your latest book? Why should I read it?

Now Read This!

• National Button Day is the 16^th. What’s your favorite button say? Now you design one. (Teachers let’s have a class contest!) I still have my Badge – A – Minute™ button maker in the basement. I used to use it to help my pom pom girls raise money to pay for their uniforms. I also make photo magnets for my students to give to their families at Christmas. It’s been a fun craft tool I’ve used & enjoyed for a years. J

A is for Adopt

• Nov. is National adoption month. If you’re adopted tell me about it. Do you want to find your birth mother? If you’re not, do you think parents should tell their children that they are?
• Here’s the scenario: You’re adopted. You want to find your birth mother. You’ve located her! She knows nothing about you, and has not tried to contact you. She’s married and has a family. What do you do…tell me the story.

I’m fighting for my life!

• It’s National Diabetes Awareness Month. You’ve just been told you have diabetes. Tell me how you react, what you say, what you do, what your plans are.

Hello there!

• November 20^th is World HELLO Day! Tell me 5 things you can do to make this world a friendlier place.
• Find out how to say Hello in 3 different languages. Bring it to class tomorrow to share.

Happy Thanksgiving:

• What are the things you are most thankful for and why?
• You’re in charge of the Thanksgiving feast. Where is it going to be? What are you having? Who’s coming? What’s the attire? What’s the entertainment afterwards?
• Would you rather have been an Indian or a Pilgrim at the first Thanksgiving feast and why? Write as if you are that person. What are you wearing, bringing, doing?

This freaks me out!

• Nov. 26^th is Pins & Needles Day. What makes you feel like you’re on pins and needles and simply freaks you out? Why? What do you or can you do to peel yourself off the ceiling?

Oh Yeah!

• Nov. 29^th is National Square Dance Day. I remember having to learn how to square dance in gym class. It was one of the rare times the boys got to have gym with the girls. We had to wear our dorky gym outfits and I was so self-conscious and embarrassed. Tell me about a time that you could have died of embarrassment.
• Do you like to dance? Why or why not? If you do, what’s your favorite kind of dancing. 
• It’s the ballroom dance championships. You are one of 5 finalists. What dance will you be dancing? What is the song you will be dancing to? What does your costume look like? What is your partner wearing? What does he/she look like? Where is this taking place? Do you win? Tell me the details.